"Mr. Robot", "People vs O.J." Lead Television Critics Association Conglomeration Nominations

The Television Critics Association announced the nominees for their 34th annual TCA Awards yesterday, as Emmy nomination ballot deadlines loom (Monday). For those unitiated into the organization's particular mode of aggregating accolades, it may come as a bit of a surprise to see Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Paulson mentioned in the same acting category. The TCA loves a good buffet. Rather than divvy up the love by format, they scoop a big heaping of pick-and-choose onto their nominating plate; the tip-toppest acting bona fides of series, miniseries, talk shows, TV movies, and different genders all taste great so why not load them all onto the same plate?

Granted, they break up serials and self-contained shows for their Best categories but there's something thrilling about weighing Samantha Bee's achievement in fervent fact-boiling against Aya Cash's honest exploration of depression in a way that feels less competitive than it does conversation-raising. In fact, there's not a straight white male amongst the Individual Achievement in Comedy group, which is 5/6 women; its selection of nominees balks at the idea of institutional placeholders in favor of true grit. Inclusion, it appears, garners a compellingly reflective list.

Individual Achievement in Drama

• Bryan Cranston, All The Way
• Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
• Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
• Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
• Keri Russell, The Americans
• Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Individual Achievement in Comedy

• Aziz Ansari, Master of None
• Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
• Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
• Aya Cash, You’re The Worst
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
• Constance Wu, Fresh Off the Boat

Outstanding New Program

• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
• Marvel’s Jessica Jones
• Master of None
• Mr. Robot
• Underground
• UnREAL 

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries, and Specials

• All The Way
• Fargo
• The Night Manager
• The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
• Roots
• Show Me A Hero 

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

• The Americans
• Better Call Saul
• Game of Thrones
• The Leftovers
• Mr. Robot
• UnREAL

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

• black-ish
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
• Master of None
• Silicon Valley
• Veep
• You’re The Worst

Program of the Year

• The Americans
• Fargo
• Game of Thrones
• Making a Murderer
• Mr. Robot
• The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
• UnREAL

What do you make of the TCA's kitchen sink approach to their nominations? By eliminating binaries, does its all-of-the-above inclusion cut straight to the heart of the talent, or does it winnow its window of worthy contenders?

Comments

[Troy H.]

I'm pleasantly surprised by the amount of diversity reflected in this slate of nominations, from race and sex to genre and program format to viewing platform, and none of it seems particularly forced, contrived, or pandering. It's as if the people in this organization watched TV, thought critically about the content, and then took care to acknowledge the things that actually meant something to them.

[craver]

Honestly I am getting tired of Bryan Cranston and Breaking Bad remains, including BCS. Though he is great in All the Way.
SARAH PAULSON FTW!
Where the hell is John Oliver?

[Chanteuse]

You're the Worst for everything

[denny]

I kind of LOVE the TCA's approach to awards, although it bothers me that the "Program of the Year" category is 100% Dramas (I suppose an argument could be made for Fargo, but it's still mostly a drama), yet again reinforcing Comedy's status as "less than". It's annoying, especially when there are so many GREAT comedies, especially when you include Samantha Bee and John Oliver's "news" programs.

[Peggy Sue]

I just can't believe they totally ignored American Crime S2

[NATHANIEL R]

Denny -- yeah, i don't really like doubling up on categories (as "Program" forces) but not on acting!

[Suzanne]

That random nomination for Bryan Cranston makes me wonder if he could beat Courtney B. Vance at the Emmys.

Overall, I like these nominations, but I think Jane the Virgin deserved something. I got tired of Veep and stopped watching - I just don't think its cynical, sarcastic view of American politics is all that clever.

[Anonny]

These are really amazing!

[Ryan T.]

Yeah, mostly these are inspired selections. There are a bunch of shows and performances from the past TV year that I love that didn't get anything (like Jane the Virgin, etc.) but I have to say there really isn't any show or performance nominated that I don't love as well (or at least get). There's just so many worthy shows/names now. Hope the Emmys at least recognize half of them (yeah right).

[Glenn Dunks]

I don't understand the final Program of the Year category.

[Paul Outlaw]

There's not a single nomination I object to, and I haven't even watched about a dozen of the shows.

@ Peggy Sue

:(

@ Suzanne

Not so random.

@ Glenn

Think Grammys...if that helps...

[Suzanne]

Paul - I just didn't expect to see him there; the other five performances in that category have been much more heavily hyped.

[Tom M]

Oh TCA, stop making me dream that Keri Russell might get that Emmy nod after all. You're going to leave me in tears, aren't you? (But, wow, the only drama series actress in that list! Ms. Paulson being limited series and all...)

[Pam]

Just watched first ep of Mr. Robot and really enjoyed it so glad to see it show up on this list. Love that individuals in Comedy are mostly women (the ladies really have had a stellar year making us laugh!) Also thrilled with Russell and Paulson--hope this bodes well for Emmy nods. I still say the Program of the Year is The Americans tied with Happy Valley (which American critics are just now discovering.)

[eduardo]

I'm so happy for Crazy ex-girlfriend (3 nods was much better than i actually expected), but where the hell is Transparent? not a single nod SMH

[kermit_the_frog]

Can I enquirie where the love for Happy Valley originates from? A wonderful (two) series, a stellar cast lead by the wondrous Sarah Lancashire (she'll be picking up the Dench/Smith/Staunton/Mirren roles in years to come) and a truly British feel. Guaranteed BAFTA love next year (again). But why this traction in America?

[Rahul]

No Kirsten Dunst in Fargo? :'(

Rooting for the ladies as per usual.

[Pam]

Kermit-
Why HV? Gritty realism, fantastic dialogue, strong, carefully crafted characters, embodied by great leads and supporting actors, female-centric (writer, producers, directors except for part of S1). Why do some Americans like it? Because it's relatable. Because Sgt Cawood is bad-ass but someone we could know, fear, love and admire. Could be set in any rust-belt city or small town in the U.S., where people are just trying to live their lives, barely holding on, providing for and protecting their families, where some have to work shitty jobs, and some have to deal with "tossers" and "scrotes" all day. Set in the Calder Valley but could also be in Ponca City, OK, or Fitchburg, MA, or Yuma, AZ. Check out TV critics like Nussbaum, Harris, Sepinwall, Gilbert, Thomas for more eloquently worded reasons. This show also seems to be popular in the rest of Europe.